Edible animal greeting cards and treats

ABSTRACT

Greeting cards and other items to be enjoyed by animals and pets combine an article composed of a non-toxic material which is typically chewable or fully consumable and digestible, in conjunction with a greeting that may include a graphical image (i.e., of an animal, pet, and/or pet owner), a textual message, or both. An edible greeting card embodiment assumes the form of a panel having a thickness, a perimeter, and front and back surfaces and at least one message on one or both of the front and back surfaces using and edible colorant or other medium. In embodiments utilizing two or more such panels or construction elements, joining means are provided in the form of a flexible strip threaded through holes, an edible adhesive or flexible edible hinge. Alternate embodiments may be suspended from a cage rail by a hook, wire. While selected embodiments of the invention may be constructed of a single substance such as rawhide, alternate embodiments may be constructed from a variety of ingredients including Nylabone, grains, minerals and seeds. The ingredients will generally vary depending on the animal for which the greeting article is intended.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/540,776, filed Mar. 31, 2001, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/817,278, filed Apr.10, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,063,412, which is the U.S. national phaseof PCT application No. US96/13070, filed Aug. 6, 1996, which claimspriority of U.S. provisional application Serial No. 60/001,957, filedAug. 7, 1995, the entire contents of all of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to novelty items foranimals, and more particularly to edible greeting cards and other treatsfor pets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Many families have pets which are increasingly treated as membersof the family. Many pet owners enjoy including their beloved pets inholiday festivities such as birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Valentine'sDay, Thanksgiving, and Halloween. As greeting cards are traditionallygiven to loved ones on such holidays, many pet owners give greetingcards to their pets or send greeting cards from themselves or their petsto the pets of relatives and close friends.

[0004] A variety of patents disclose greeting cards which include giftsor where the card itself may be construed as a gift. U.S. Pat. No.4,203,516 to Stonoga et al. discloses a novelty greeting card wherein adog biscuit is contained within a non-edible greeting card particularlyconfigured to hold the dog biscuit. The greeting card disclosed byStonoga et al. requires the pet owner to remove the pet treat from itsprotective pocket within the non-edible greeting card prior to ingestionby the pet.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,365 to Stuart discloses a greeting cardassembly having a removable insert containing a message. The messageinsert, once removed from the greeting card, may be kept as an ornamentsuch as a Christmas tree ornament or other similar decorative item.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 3,589,047 to Hess discloses a novelty greeting cardcomprising a substantially three-dimensional caricature which iscollapsible onto a base sheet. The caricature is inflated by blowing airinto the caricature through a hole in the base sheet, thus providing athree-dimensional gift in a substantially flat greeting card.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,496 to Davidson et al. discloses acombination greeting card and gift pouch. A single sheet is tri-foldedinto a closed pouch, with adhesive provided along the margins of thesheet, thereby enabling the pouch to be sealed and mailed as a greetingcard.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 3,548,527 to Acosta et al. discloses a card havinga pivotable rear panel whereby a photograph or other picture may beplaced within the card to attractively mount the photo or picture.

[0009] Several U.S. patents disclose items which are ingestible byanimals, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,758 to Fruthaler et al., whichdiscloses shaped, flavored articles which are attractive to masticatinganimals and have the texture, appearance and aroma of natural foodmaterials. U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,916 to Skoch discloses an animal feedsupplement in block form. U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,058 to Chandler disclosesa composite animal food having a crunchy shell surrounding a deformablecore of edible protein and water soluble solids.

[0010] Despite these items and associated available products, the neednevertheless remains for edible greeting cards and other treats foranimals, inlcuding domesticated animals and pets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention is broadly directed to greeting cards andother items to be enjoyed by animals and pets, including products thatare suitable for chewing and/or ingestion. In each case, the articlecombines an article composed of a non-toxic material which is typicallychewable or fully consumable and digestible, in conjunction with agreeting that may include a graphical image (i.e., of an animal, pet,and/or pet owner), a textual message, or both.

[0012] For example, according to a first preferred embodiment, an ediblegreeting card suitable for ingestion by a pet such as a horse, dog, cat,rabbit or bird assumes the form of a panel having a thickness, aperimeter, and front and back surfaces. At least one message is providedon one or both of the front and back surfaces using and edible colorantor other medium.

[0013] In embodiments utilizing two or more such panels, edible joiningmeans are provided so that one edible panel may be joined to anotheredible panel, creating a joined structure which may stand upright on ahorizontal surface. In this embodiment of the invention, a flexiblerawhide strip is threaded through holes placed proximate to theperimeter of the edible panels. Alternate configurations may utilize anedible adhesive or flexible edible hinge. Other embodiments may beconstructed of a single member having an indented, perforated or thinnerhinge area positioned between two panel areas so that the single membermay be folded alone, the flexible hinge.

[0014] In alternate embodiments, the greeting item may be suspended froma cage rail by a hook, wire or placed in a holder. This permitsconvenient postioning within a cage or stall, by mechanisms such as aclip having its free ends embedded in the panel, or a hook constructedof the edible materials which comprise the panel and which is formedintegrally with the panel. Alternatively, a holder may be attached tothe side of the cage or stall and the greeting card placed within theholder, the card resting on its supporting section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0017]FIG. 3 is a view of an embodiment of the present invention havinga single panel;

[0018]FIG. 4A is a view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention having a cutout;

[0019]FIG. 4B is the rear view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4A;

[0020]FIG. 5A is a view of another alternate embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0021]FIG. 5B is a view of the interior surfaces of the embodiment ofthe invention depicted in FIG. 5A;

[0022]FIG. 6A is a view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention in a disassembled state;

[0023]FIG. 6B is a view of the embodiment of FIG. 6A properly assembled;

[0024]FIG. 7A is a view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0025]FIG. 7B is a view of the interior surfaces of the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 7A;

[0026]FIG. 8 is a view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention wherein three edible rigid panels are utilized;

[0027]FIG. 9 is a view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention which utilizes three rigid edible panels;

[0028]FIG. 10A is a view of another alternate embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0029]FIG. 10B is side view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 10A;

[0030]FIG. 11A is a view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention wherein a panel has a contoured exterior surface;

[0031]FIG. 11B is a view of an interior surface of the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 11A;

[0032]FIG. 12A is a view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention having a cutout: and

[0033]FIG. 12B is a view of an interior surface of the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 12A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] The present invention is broadly directed to greeting cards andother items to be enjoyed by animals and pets, including products thatare suitable for chewing and/or ingestion. Thus, the term “edible”should include “non-toxic” as well as chewable and entirely consumableor digestible by the intended animal.

[0035] A preferred embodiment of the invention, shown generally at 10 inFIG. 1, includes a first edible panel 12 and a second edible panel 18,first panel 12 having a perimeter 13, interior surface 14 (see FIG. 5B),exterior surface 16, and a second panel 18 having a perimeter 19,interior surface 20 and exterior surface 22 (see FIG. 4B). In thisembodiment the panels are preferably rectangular and flat, but may haverounded corners and assume other geometries, including non-planardesigns.

[0036] Edible panels 12 and 18 may be joined by a variety of means toform a rigid edible greeting card which may be opened to view theinterior surfaces 14 and 20 of panels 12 and 18, respectively. As shownin the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the perimeter 19 ofsecond edible panel 18 is attached to perimeter 13 of first edible panel12 via flexible edible hinge 26. In a preferred embodiment, hinge 26,comprised of rawhide, has a portion of its perimeter embedded in panels12 and 18 which are, prior to solidification or hardening of panels 12and 18, comprised primarily of grains. Alternately, a sticky substancesuch as molasses or corn syrup may be used as an edible adhesive,permitting the flexible edible hinge to be “glued” to the rigid ediblepanel.

[0037] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, first edible panel 12, edible hinge26, and second edible panel 18 are formed from a single continuousmaterial, such as a panel of rawhide. Hinge 26 preferably has a thinnercross-section than edible panels 12 and 18, giving edible hinge 26increased flexibility while maintaining sufficient rigidity in ediblepanels 12 and 18.

[0038] In an alternate embodiment of the invention, as depicted in FIGS.7A and 7B, an indentation or perforation may be formed in the continuoussection of material between panels 12 and 18, forming their perimetersand hinge 26. The continuous material is then bent along theindentation, thus forming the card as depicted in FIGS. 7A and 7B. In afurther alternate embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, panels 12 and 18include a plurality of holes 29 positioned along a portion of respectiveperimeters 13 and 19. An edible stripe 28, preferably rawhide or otherflexible edible material, is threaded through holes 29, thus joiningedible panels 12 and 18.

[0039] Each greeting card 10 has at least one message region 24positioned on at least one surface of at least one panel. An ediblemessage 30 containing a plurality of characters such as letters,numbers, graphics, symbols or marks, may be placed within message region24. The edible message preferably is an edible ink having ingredientsselected from the group including corn syrup and glycerine. Nontoxiccoloring agents such as FD&C certified colors, natural coloring agentsand other ancillary ingredients such as catnip may be included in theedible ink.

[0040] A variety of printing techniques may be used to apply thecharacters of the edible message to the rigid edible panels, includingsilk screening, lithography, laser imprinting and embossing. The ediblemessage may be formed of gum paste or other edible food decoration whichmay then be placed in the message region of the edible panel. Ediblefood decorations typically comprises ingredients including corn starch,corn syrup, sugar and glycerine. Gum paste typically comprisesingredients including gelatin, gum tragacanth, shortening and glucose.In selected embodiments such as those utilizing panels of rawhide orother suitable materials such and compressed grains and cereals, themessage may be hot stamped into the rawhide utilizing a process similarto that used for imprinting leather goods. Lower-temperature embossing,molding, and so forth, may also be used to form the message, regardlessof the underlying material. Alternate embodiments may first place theedible message on an edible decal, sticker, rice paper or wafer paperwhich is then applied to the message regions of the panels.

[0041] In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-4, a supporting section 54may be positioned along and attached to perimeters 13 and 19 of ediblepanels 12 and 18, thus permitting greeting card 10 to be set on ahorizontal surface in the vicinity of the pet, such as the bottom of acage, a floor or card holder. As depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 3,supporting section 54 is preferably thicker than panel 12, thusassisting greeting card 10 to remain in an upright, erect position onthe horizontal surface.

[0042] Alternate embodiments may utilize a wire 60 embedded into ediblepanel 12 or other shaped item, allowing wire ends 62 to be wrappedaround a rigid projecting member such as a cage bar or hook andsuspended, in a cage, for example. The wire 60 may be provided as thesole means for placing the greeting in the vicinity of the pet, or maybe used in conjunction with supporting section such as section 54. Asupporting section 54 is preferably utilized for greeting cards ingestedby horses, dogs and cats, while a wire 60 is preferably utilized forgreeting cards ingested by birds or small mammals such as gerbils,hamsters and rabbits.

[0043] The perimeters 13 and 19 of the edible greeting may be variouslyconfigured so as to provide a visually pleasing appearance. As depictedin FIG. 4A, first panel 12 is configured so that a portion of firstpanel 12 projects above second panel 18. As shown in FIG. 4B, theextending portion of FIG. 12 may be mirrored in a cutout 56 of panel 18.The perimeters and thickness of panels 12 and 18 may be configured so asto enhance the ability of the pet to ingest the greeting card 10. Asshown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, messages 30 may be displayed in message region24 on the interior surfaces 14 and 20 of panels 12 and 18.

[0044] As depicted in FIGS. 7A and 7B, some of the message regions 24provided on greeting card 10 or other item according to the imventionmay be left blank so that the giver may personalize the item. In suchcases a marker 32 may be provided which contains edible ink havingingredients selected from the group including corn syrup and glycerine.Nontoxic coloring agents such as FD&C certified colors, natural coloradditives and other ancillary ingredients such as catnip may be includedin the edible ink. Marker 32 has a tip 33 configured to apply a line ofedible ink onto message regions 24.

[0045]FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of the present inventionwherein a third panel 34 is utilized in conjunction with first panel 12and second panel 18, the panels being joined to create a tri-foldgreeting card having, messages 30 displayed thereupon. An alternateembodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 9 utilizes a thirdpanel 34 to provide additional stability between first panel 12 andsecond panel 18, enabling greeting card 10 to stand upright on ahorizontal surface. As shown in FIG. 9, supporting sections 54 arepositioned along perimeter 13 of first panel 12, perimeter 35 of thirdpanel 34, and perimeter 19 of second panel 18.

[0046] The embodiments depicted in FIGS. 10A and 10B utilize secondpanel 18 primarily as a support for first panel 12. In this embodiment,message regions 24 are preferably only placed on panel 12. In theembodiment depicted in FIGS. 10A and 10B, a tab and slot arrangement maybe utilized to attach first panel 12 and second panel 18.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 11A, cutouts 58 may be formed in first panel 12,enabling a viewer to see the interior surface 20 of second panel 18,shown in FIG. 11B. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12A, first panel 12may be sufficiently thick so as to enable a pattern having a depth to beintegrally formed into first panel 12. The heart-shaped depression 64may additionally be utilized as a message region 24. Depressions havinga variety of shapes may be utilized, such as rectangles, ovals, andother geometric shapes.

[0048] An alternate embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS. 6A and6B, may include additional construction elements such as fourth panel40, fifth panel 41, sixth panel 42, seventh panel 43 and eighth panel44. The embodiment depicted in FIG. 6A is the unassembled version of thegreeting, the various panels including tabs 46 and slots 48 which permitassembly of the various panels into the greeting card 10 depicted inFIG. 6B.

[0049] The thickness of the edible greeting card 10 or other elementswill vary depending upon the materials used to construct the item andthe type of animal to which the greeting is being sent. For example,panels such as 12 and 18 should be sufficiently thin to allow thereceiving pet to bite and chew the panel. In a greeting card for a dog,for example, a preferred thickness is 0.25 inches, the thickness of sucha card ranging between 0.125 inches for smaller dogs weighing under 20pounds and 0.50 inches for larger dogs weighing over 65 pounds. For verylarge dog breeds weighing over 100 pounds, a thickness of greater than0.50 inches may be preferred.

[0050] The thickness of a panel for felines is preferably in the rangebetween 0.125 and 0.25 inches thick. Edible articles for birdspreferably have thicknesses of approximately 0.25 inches for panelsconstructed of seeds and the like, while panel thicknesses of up to oneinch or more may be acceptable for greetings constructed of mineralssuch as calcium sulfate. Greeting cards directed to horses arepreferably constructed of panels having thicknesses of one inch andabove.

[0051] While selected embodiments of the invention may be constructed ofa single substance such as rawhide, alternate embodiments be constructedfrom a variety of ingredients including Nylabone, grains, minerals andseeds. The ingredients will generally vary depending on the animal forwhich the greeting is intended.

[0052] The greeting items may also include ancillary ingredients such asbinding agents, vitamins, flavorings and colors to enhance themanufacturability, rigidity, palatability and nutritional value of theproduct. For example, agents which enhance the manufacturability orrigidity may include a leavening agent such as baking powder or bakingsoda, an anti-caking agent, a humectant, an emulsifier, a suspendingagent or a wetting agent. Illustrative examples of lubricants oranti-caking agents which may be used in the invention include magnesiumstearate, calcium stearate, solid polyethylene glycols, sodium laurylsulfate, or mixtures thereof. Humectants illustratively include glyceroland propylene glycol, and wetting agents that may be includedillustratively include cetyl alcohol and glycerol monostearate.

[0053] As used herein “a binding agent” may be a sticky substance or asubstance which becomes sticky in combination with other ingredientssuch as water. For example, such agents may include molasses, cornsyrup, peanut butter, food gum, a starch such as potato starch, tapiocastarch or corn starch, honey, maple syrup and sugar. A preservative suchas potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate or calcium propionate may beincluded in order to retard growth of microorganisms and fungi. It willbe apparent to those skilled in the art that an ingredient may havemultiple functions in the panel of the present invention. For example,honey may serve as both a binding agent and sweetener.

[0054] Vitamins may be provided according to the nutritionalrequirements of the target animal. A vitamin may be supplied an isolatedrelatively pure form, such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, choline chloride, oras a known component of another ingredient of the article. For example,a fruit such as peach or pear, a vegetable, a grain, egg or meatcontaining a desirable vitamin may be included. As a more specificexample, carrot, spinach or apple may be included to supply Vitamin A.Potato may be included as a source of Vitamin C. Vitamins are alsopresent in various oils that may be added; illustrative examples of anoil that may be added include canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil andvegetable oil.

[0055] A flavoring agent may be added to enhance the palatability of theedible article and the choice of flavoring agent will again depend onthe targeted animal. Illustrative examples of flavorings include aniseoil, carob, peanuts, fruit flavors, sweeteners such as honey, sugar,maple syrup and fructose, herbs such as parsley, celery leaves,peppermint, spearmint, garlic, or combinations thereof.

[0056] Although rawhide is preferred for its structural andproteinaceous properties, particularly for canine recipients, otherexamples of desirable animal-derived ingredients include meat (includinganimal muscle, organ meats, as well as animal parts not typicallyconsumed by humans such as bovine trachea) and meat by-products, andinclude food such as beef, pork, chicken, turkey, fish, lamb, organmeats such as liver, meat meals such as chicken, lamb and beef meals,fish meal, bone meals and ground bone. Animal-derived food such ascasein, milk (which may include dry forms and lowered fat forms, such asdry skim milk), yogurt, gelatin, cheese and egg may also be used.

[0057] Further vitamin or nutritional supplements may includepolysaccharides and fiber. A polysaccharide may be included in the formof a complex food such as a fruit, peanuts, a starch such as potatostarch, potato flour, rice starch, tapioca starch, a modified foodstarch, or an animal source such as bovine cartilage in trachea.Polysaccharide may also provided separately, for example, in the form ofchondroitin sulfate or glucosamine HCl. Fiber may be also provided inthe form of a whole fruit, vegetable or seed or is provided separatelyin forms including wood fiber, paper fiber, fiberboard or cellulosefiber, such as powdered cellulose fiber.

[0058] Various grains may also be used, including corn, oats, rice(including white and brown rice), alfalfa, wheat, soy, barley,buckwheat, rye and combinations thereof. The grains may be present in inany form consistent with the production of the edible article includingflour, bran, cereal, fiber, whole grain and meal forms, including glutenmeals. Further, the form of the grain, such as rolled, crimped, ground,dehydrated or milled, will vary depending on the animal for which thearticle is intended and the requirements of the process by which thegreeting card is manufactured. Grain may also be present in the form ofan edible paper, such as rice paper. Seeds used in an edible article mayinclude millet (including red and white forms), safflower, canary, milo,sunflower and flax.

[0059] Other additives may inlcude calcium, limestone (which may be inground form), salt. Specific examples may include calcium sulfate,calcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate andcombinations thereof.

[0060] If the card or other article is intended for ingestion by ahorse, oats, corn, wheat, soy, alfalfa or combinations thereof mypreferably be included, for example in the from of rolled or crimpedoats. The product may additionally include a binding agent such asmolasses, and vitamin additives and minerals such as salt or groundlimestone may be added to enhance the nutritional value or palatability.

[0061] Greeting cards or other articles intended for small mammals suchas rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, and guinea pigs may preferably include aningredient such as alfalfa, corn, rice and combinations thereof.Preferably, the grain utilized is dehydrated, milled or flaked.Vegetables such as dehydrated carrots and seeds such as safflower seedsor milo seeds are preferably included as additives for small mammals.

[0062] For greeting cards and articles intended for birds, theingredients might include corn, millet, alfalfa and combinationsthereof, as well as a mineral or compound such as calcium, calciumsulfate, salt, magnesium, ferrous carbonate, zinc oxide, andcombinations thereof. A mineral may be included as a complex source,such as liver where liver is known to be a source of iron, or as arelatively pure, isolated mineral source. Cuttlebone is a preferrednatural source of minerals and is especially suitable for birds.Traditional paper may also be included for birds and other smallanimals.

[0063] If the greeting card or article is intended for feline, the itemmay include a grain such as corn, wheat, rice and combinations thereof.For example, ground yellow corn may used separately or together withpoultry by-products, fish meal, catnip or fish oil. Catnip may providedin a liquid or flake form, and may be applied or refilled by the petowner. Particulalry in the case of cats, the item may not be technically“edible,” though the use of catnip, for example, in conjucntion withtextual or graphical message would clearly fall within the spirit andscope of this invention.

[0064] If the recipient is a canine, rawhide is the preferred choice forpanels of a greeting card, as discused above. Alternate ingredients mayinclude corn, wheat, rice and combinations thereof. Alternateingredients may be particularly chosen to meet the special dietary needsof selected groups of dogs, such as dogs having food allergies andweight problems. For example, a greeting having lamb and rice as theprimary ingredients are suitable for dogs having food allergies.

I claim:
 1. An edible greeting for a dog, comprising: an articlecomposed of a chewable or consumable material that is non-toxic to adog; a graphical image of dog; and a textual greeting.
 2. The article ofclaim 1, wherein the textual greeting is associated with a holiday, thedog's birthday, or another special occasion or event.
 3. The article ofclaim 1, wherein the article includes one or more panels, each panelhaving a thickness of an inch or less.
 4. The article of claim 1,wherein the material includes an animal-derived food, a grain, a vitaminsource, a mineral, a fiber source, a binding agent, a seed, a flavoring,an ancillary ingredient, or a combination thereof.
 5. The article ofclaim 4, wherein the grain is corn, oats, rice, alfalfa, wheat, soy,barley, buckwheat, rye, or a combination thereof.
 6. The article ofclaim 4, wherein the animal-derived food is rawhide, meat, fish,poultry, bone meal, casein, yogurt, milk, gelatin, cheese, egg, or acombination thereof.
 7. The article of claim 4, wherein the seed isflax, sunflower, millet, safflower, canary, milo, or a combinationthereof.
 8. The article of claim 1, wherein the textual greeting refersto the graphical image.
 9. The article of claim 1, wherein the graphicalimage, textual greeting, or both, are formed with an edible ink,embossed, or molded.
 10. The article of claim 9, wherein the edible inkis provided from a separate marking implement.
 11. An edible greetingfor a cat, comprising: an article composed of an attracting, chewable orconsumable material that is nontoxic to a cat; a graphical image of cat;and a textual greeting.
 12. The article of claim 11, wherein the textualgreeting is associated with a holiday, the cat's birthday, or anotherspecial occasion or event.
 13. The article of claim 11, wherein thearticle includes one or more panels, each panel having a thickness of aninch or less.
 14. The article of claim 11, wherein the material includesan animal-derived food, a grain, a vitamin source, a mineral, a fibersource, a binding agent, a seed, a flavoring, an ancillary ingredient,or a combination thereof.
 15. The article of claim 14, wherein the grainis corn, oats, rice, alfalfa, wheat, soy, barley, buckwheat, rye, or acombination thereof.
 16. The article of claim 14, wherein theanimal-derived food is rawhide, meat, fish, poultry, bone meal, casein,yogurt, milk, gelatin, cheese, egg, or a combination thereof.
 17. Thearticle of claim 14, wherein the seed is flax, sunflower, millet,safflower, canary, milo, or a combination thereof.
 18. The article ofclaim 11 wherein the textual message refers to the graphical image. 19.The article of claim 11, wherein the graphical image, textual greeting,or both, are formed with an edible ink, embossed, or molded.
 20. Thearticle of claim 19, wherein the edible ink is provided by a separatemarking implement.
 21. An edible greeting for a cat, comprising: anarticle including a graphical image of a cat, a textual greeting, orboth; and an amount of catnip carried by the article.